NCPA fly-in turns up heat on PBM reform
By HME News Staff
Updated 11:43 AM CDT, Wed April 24, 2024
WASHINGTON – Hundreds of community pharmacists from 40 states and the District of Columbia visited more than 250 congressional offices to press for PBM reforms during the National Community Pharmacists Association’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In April 17-18.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., offered attendees insights into what’s happening with PBM reform and how community pharmacists could best press policymakers for progress during their meetings on Capitol Hill.
“Low reimbursements from PBM-insurers, the ‘DIR hangover’ and other pressures are pushing some pharmacy owners ever closer to a breaking point,” said Lea Wolsoncroft, NCPA president. “Many in Congress understand that, in theory, but this year’s fly-in was our opportunity to impress upon them what’s really at stake for their constituents if their local pharmacy shuts its doors and why PBM reform is needed now. Community pharmacy showed out in force, fighting for the future of our businesses and pushing Congress to finish doing its job for the patients we serve.”
Attendees urged Congress to act swiftly to finalize and pass PBM reform legislation that includes the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act (H.R. 1613/S. 1038) and the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act (H.R. 5400/S. 2436). These efforts are aimed at increasing congressional support for transparency into PBM-insurers, fair and transparent Medicaid managed care pharmacy payments, and requiring “reasonable and relevant” Medicare Part D contract terms.
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